AIMSIreland were saddened and shocked to hear of a maternal death at the National Maternity Hospital earlier this month.

Earlier today in a previous press release, AIMSIreland referenced the lack of accountability, resources and staffing across our maternity services, and how these factors were undoubtedly implicated in recent events in Cavan. It is our hope that these factors are not also at play here.

This case also highlights the inertia in expediting the improved access to care for expectant mothers in a fit for purpose facility. Three years ago nearly to the day, former Minister for Health, James Riley announced that the National Maternity Hospital would move from its current site in Holles St to St Vincents University Hospital. In the same week that this woman lost her life in the National Maternity Hospital, the media reported on the continuing turf war between The National Maternity Hospital and St Vincents University Hospital which was causing barriers to their move.

AIMSIreland Spokesperson Krysia Lynch said “Thankfully, serious adverse events are a rarity in our maternity services. However, if and when they do occur, women and their families need to be assured that they will receive the most timely and appropriate intervention from a specialist in a state of the art custom built facility”

Lynch continued “Last year Claire Daly TD appealed for compulsory inquests into maternal deaths in Ireland as per the Bill to Reform Coroners’ Court Legislation, published in 2007, which had not yet been acted on. This did not occur in the life of the last government. AIMSIreland hope is that there will be a speedy internal and external review of this case and that the coroner will ensure an inquest so that the details of this sad case can come into the public domain”

Clare Daly stated in December 2015 “The only way to get transparency is through accountability with public inquests so that families get answers, but also to enforce genuine accountability on behalf of the HSE”. Minister of State at the time Simon Harris, now the Minister of Health, said that the government would not oppose the Bill.

Lynch concluded “We call on Minister for Health Simon Harris to expedite legislation to ensure mandatory inquests for any maternal death in Ireland.”

Boilerplate

AIMSIreland offers confidential support and information to couples who have had difficult experiences in the Irish Maternity Services